What does it mean to be an artist?
The word can be applied to people practicing all kinds of art forms, from writing to dance to theatre. It’s a job, for some, but it’s also an identity. There’s no one way to lead a creative life.
Over the last year, I’ve spent a lot of time and energy trying to build on my writing practice, so it becomes something that might one day sustain me, that doesn’t have to fit into the corners of my life.
Until recently, I’ve always worked full-time, writing here and there, when time and mental energy allowed. But it doesn’t feel like enough.
I’d like to be able to focus properly on my creative projects, giving them the time and space to develop. Being furloughed earlier in the year gave me a window in which to work on my novel without distraction and it was a revelation. I developed a strong routine, wrote thousands of words in a few weeks and felt properly happy.
But it couldn’t last and as I started to pick up freelance jobs, focusing on paid work became the priority again.
Since then I’ve been working with other artists through my freelance marketing roles and it’s interesting and inspiring to see how other people balance the different elements of their career.
But it does make me sad too.
When I was younger, I didn’t have a model for a creative life. I didn’t have the kind of background where arts careers were normal and I would never have had the confidence to pursue a freelance lifestyle. It’s taken me years to gain an understanding of these things.
By focusing on a ‘proper job’ I’ve denied a central part of myself. Of course, I’m massively privileged to be able to pursue an artistic career at all, it’s not an option for many.
But I do wish creative careers were more accessible. I know a lot of people who struggle to be creative around their jobs, families and commitments. A lot of very successful writers and artists still have other jobs: sometimes they choose them and sometimes they’re necessary. But imagine what they could produce if their art paid the bills.
Sometimes choosing to focus on your creative work is a risk, but a necessary one. Without giving it the space to grow, without taking the time to learn and improve your skills, how can your work be the best that you can offer? Your ideas will never grow if they don’t have time to take root.
You don’t have to be full-time to be a real artist. But it’s a dream that can be difficult to realise without the right conditions.
However, you indulge your creativity, I hope you find the path that feels most authentic for you.